BMW has announced group sales that were up by 9.9 percent in January. That is a record for that month.

The world’s largest premium carmaker credited growth in its largest market, China.

There sales of its BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands rose 14.7 percent.

The company said it expects further sales growth – particularly in Asia and the Americas – and is targeting a new all-time high for this year, even though demand in Europe is expected to remain lacklustre.